Australian Schoolboys Cricket team tour to West Indies 1969-70
The first match of the tour commenced on 18 December 1969 and the Australians went through the tour undefeated winning 7 of the 11 games played
The games were played against Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados, St Kitts Under 19s and also Under 20s teams.
Players from the West Indies Islands included Vanburn Holder, Brendan Julien, Collis King, David Murray, Inshan Ali, Andy Weekes (son of Sir Everton Weekes), Sheldon Gomes (brother of Larry Gomes) and perhaps a few others whose sons have gone on to play for the West Indies.
Paul Stephenson played for Manly in Sydney Grade Cricket from 1968 to 1981 and is a renowned historian, shared how lifelong friendships were forged on the tour and the teams 45 year anniversary catch up during the 3rd Test between Australia and West Indies at the SCG in January 2016.
“14 of the 16 players were able to make the celebrations. For the reunion I was able to collect a number of photos we didn’t really know existed plus the scorecards and presented each player with a 25 page booklet as a memento for the tour.” – Paul Stephenson
